North Koreans Could Learn From Thailand’s Prohibition Propaganda

Another beautiful election day has passed – this time for the senate. But guess what: Supermarkets and shops weren’t allowed to sell alcohol for the whole day – even after the ballot boxes were closed.

No, you were not allowed to celebrate that victory of your favorite senator with a nice cold beer.

One wonders if Chamlong, a vocal anti-alcoholian and leader of the anti-Thaksin movement, has a hand in the game.

Whatever the reasons being: Those in charge must think those not in charge are pretty dumb.

Heard a public service announcement last week on some local FM radio station, explaining to foreigners that on certain days the sale of alcohol is prohibited in the kingdom because it’s a religious day.

Instead of having a drink, the announcement said, Thai people would head to the temples with a clean and pure mind on those days.

Well, haven’t seen any temple overfilled on voting day.

That public service announcement was another shining example of how those in charge take those not in charge (mainly farangs) for a fool.

It’s as simple as that: That announcement was pure propaganda. Pretending that there are devout folks out there eagerly obeying the prohibition.

But as we all know: Laws in Thailand are here to be broken.

Fact is: Couldn’t buy a beer in Jusco. But the little shop pak soi was more than willing to stock up my empty fridge.

Actually, there was a queue of people stocking up on beer.

Moral of the story: Not even tightly controlled North Korea knows such a prohibition on voting day.

Because there are no voting days.

But, and that’s a fact, at least in Pyongyang there are lots and lots of micro breweries serving you nicest freshest home-brewed beer.

North Koreans love their fresh beer with dried squid and mustard.

The whole year round.

With no prohibition or propaganda forcing them to buy the beer pak soi.